Olan G. Ruble, Hon ’74
Olan G. Ruble, Hon ’74
Coach Ruble was a pioneer for women’s athletics locally, nationally and internationally. He began the women’s basketball program at Iowa Wesleyan in 1943, the first four-year college in Iowa to offer women’s basketball. He coached 21 women’s teams over his IWC career and was highly successful, retiring in 1965 with a career record of 626-127. He coached 13 AAU All-Americans, with many of his players competing internationally. Eight of his former players are in the Iowa High School Hall of Fame and one player, Rita Horky, is in the National Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, inducted in 2000. Ruble was an influence internationally as well, serving on the U.S. Women’s Basketball Olympic Committee for 25 years. He played a vital role in women’s basketball becoming an Olympic sport in 1976. Ruble also coached football and men’s basketball at IWC and was a professor of Physical Education. He was named an honorary IWC alumnus in 1974. Coach Ruble died in 1982. He and his wife Marguerite, are the parents of a daughter, Linda Ruble Taylor '71.
Dorothy Welp Donahue x55
Dorothy Welp Donahue x55
Dorothy, originally from Kamrar, Iowa, came to IWC in 1951 after a successful high school career. She was a four-time All-State basketball player in high school, winning the state championship in 1948. She was named to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1961, its inaugural year. Donahue played basketball two seasons for Iowa Wesleyan, 1951-1953, placing fourth in the National AAU tournament during her sophomore year. She was named an AAU All-American in 1952. While a student at Iowa Wesleyan, Dorothy was a Zeta Tau Alpha and was crowned Homecoming Queen in 1952. Dorothy graduated from Drake University in 1961 and taught elementary school 34 years. In 1977, Dorothy was one of nine women named to the Iowa Girls’ State Championship Coaches Association All-Time All-Tournament team. She and husband Walter ’53, reside in Kamrar. They have a son, daughter, and three grandchildren.
Janet Thompson Milner Weston x55
Janet Thompson Milner Weston x55
Janet came from Elliott, Iowa, and earned her two-year elementary education diploma in 1954. She was an active basketball player in those two years. Janet was a member of the team that went to Nationals in 1952 and she was named an AAU All-American that same year. She was selected as a member of the U.S. team for the first World Tournament in 1953 in Santiago, Chile. The team toured Chile and Peru during their extended visit. After IWC, Janet returned to Elliott, where she taught school for four years and substituted for 12 years. She worked in the local bank as a bookkeeping supervisor until her retirement. She is married to William and they have three children, Vicki, Brent and Joel; and five grandchildrenBarbara Johnson Bastow ’58
Barbara Johnson Bastow '58
Barbara came from Aplington, Iowa, and played basketball for Iowa Wesleyan under Coach Olan Ruble from 1954 through 1958, graduating in 1958. During her basketball career, the Tigerettes experienced four consecutive winning seasons, and earning two trips to the AAU National Tournament. During her senior year, the team placed second at Nationals. Bastow was named an AAU All-American in 1956 and again in 1958. In 1974, she was inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Barbara’s college involvement included Iota Phi, Qui Est and the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She was a junior and senior high school teacher and volleyball coach in Gowrie, Iowa, from 1979-1994. Barbara resides in Temple, Texas. She and her husband, Dean ’58, have two daughters, Brenda and Belinda.
Barbara A. Sipes ’58
Barbara A. Sipes '58
Barbara is originally from Topeka, Kansas, and attended Washburn University in Topeka and Kansas City Junior College before transferring to Iowa Wesleyan. She played basketball for two years under Coach Ruble and was named an AAU All-American in 1955, ’57, ’58 and again in 1963. Barbara competed internationally, playing in 11 National Tournaments, two Pan American games and two World Tournaments. She also played on the U.S. teams that toured with the Soviet National Women’s Team in 1960, ’63 and ’66. Barbara returned to Iowa Wesleyan in 1962-63 and played basketball again under Coach Ruble. She taught school for 36 years, retiring in 1995. Barbara currently splits her residency between Iowa and Texas.
Sandra J. Fiete ’59
Sandra J. Fiete '59
Sandy came to Iowa Wesleyan from Garnavillo, Iowa, where she played on two state championship basketball teams. Fiete played basketball for Iowa Wesleyan College all four years of her college career. She was named an AAU All-American in 1957, ’58 and ’59. Sandy was chosen to play for the United States team touring Russia in 1958. She was also a member of the U.S. teams at the 1959 and 1963 Pan American games. Sandy was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, Qui Est honorary society, and Iota Phi. She was named to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1961, its inaugural year. She taught high school until her retirement in 1988. Sandy currently resides in Sedona, Arizona.
Rita Horky '60
Rita Horky '60
Originally from Blissfield, Michigan, Rita came to Iowa Wesleyan College in 1958 and played basketball for Coach Ruble for two seasons. She was names an AAA All-American in 1959 and 1960. Rita was a member of the United States team at two Pan American games, winning gold medals in 1959 at Chicago, andn in 1963 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Rita also played on the 1959 World Championship team in Lima, Peru, and for the 1967 team in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Rita passed away in 1987. She was inducted to the National Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Glenda Nicholson Thielbert ’61
Glenda Nicholson Thielbert '61
Glenda came to Iowa Wesleyan from Maynard, Iowa. She was named AAU All-American in 1957, ’58 and ’59. Glenda was a member of the U.S. team at the 1959 Pan American games, going undefeated and winning the gold medal. She was a member of the U.S. team which played the Soviet National women’s team across the country in 1959. She graduated from Iowa Wesleyan in 1961 and earned an M.A. in Secondary Guidance and Counseling from the University of Northern Iowa in 1972. She was inducted in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1972. Glenda taught, coached basketball, and served as a guidance counselor at West Delaware Schools in Manchester, Iowa, from 1963 until her retirement in 1996. She now resides in Muscatine, Iowa, with her husband, Eugene. They have two children, Lori and Mitchell.
Judith Hodson Finney ’62
Judith Hodson Finney '62
Judy played basketball for Iowa Wesleyan College under Coach Ruble, graduating in 1962. Originally from Donnellson, Iowa, Judy played high school varsity basketball for five years, qualifying for the state tournament in 1956, ’57 and ’58. In 1959 she toured the United States playing the Soviet National women’s team, and in 1961 she toured Russia with the U.S. team. While a student at Wesleyan, she was 1961 Homecoming Queen and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. After graduation, Judy taught physical education at Central Lee High School and owned Finney Real Estate. Judy passed away in 1995. She and her husband, Don, have two sons, Mike and Steve.
Dixie Ramsbottom Scherff '63
Dixie Ramsbottom Scherff '63
Dixie came to Iowa Wesleyan as a standout basketball player from Diagonal, Iowa. She was a four-year player for Coach Olan Ruble. Dixie was named conference "rookie" of the year in 1959, and an AAU All-American in 1962. Dixie played for the Tigerettes in 1962 when they hosted the Soviet National Women's team in Mount Pleasant. She graduated in 1963 with a degree in physical education and taught P.E. for six years. She is also involved in insurance sales. In 2002, Dixie received an Award of Excellence from the Worth County Extension Board and 4-H program. She and her husband, Joseph, have a daughter, Angela. They currently reside in Manly, Iowa.
Lori Williams Wright '64, LL.D '91
Lori Williams Wright '64, LL.D ’91
Lori came to Iowa Wesleyan from New Sharon, Iowa. During her high school basketball career she scored 3,753 points for North Mahaska High School. She continued that success by averaging 21 points per game at IWC. Lori led the Tigerettes to the AAU National Tournament all four years of her college career. The team placed fourth in 1961 and ’64, and third in ’62 and ’63. She was named an AAU All-American in 1961, ’62 and ’63. Lori was part of the IWC team that hosted the Soviet National Women’s team in Mt. Pleasant in 1962. She was also a member of the U.S. team at the 1963 Pan American games, winning the gold medal. In 1968, Lori was inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Lori was also active in Pi Beta Phi and the IWC Band while a student at IWC.
Lori holds a master's degree in organic chemistry, and an MBA from the University of Chicago. She is the co-founder and general manager of Triton Consumer Products, Inc. She and her husband, Larry, reside in Naperville, Illinois.
Dianne Frieden Havens '66
Dianne Frieden Havens '66
Dianne was an AAU All-American basketball player in 1962 and 1964 and was named honorable mention twice during her athletic career. She played in the U.S. World Championship game in Lima, Peru in 1964. While a student at Iowa Wesleyan, Diane was a member of Alpha Xi Delta, Panhellenic Council and was crowned Homecoming Queen in 1966. Dianne graduated from Iowa Wesleyan in 1966. She and her husband, Edward ’66, have a son, Merrick. Dianne passed away in 1988.
Peg Petersen Tyler ’67
Peg Petersen Tyler '67
An Everly, Iowa native, Peg played basketball for four years at Iowa Wesleyan College. As a freshman in 1964, she was chosen to play for the U.S. Team in the World Championship Tournament in Lima, Peru. She was named an AAU All-American in 1964 as well. Peg was inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1969. She graduated from IWC in 1967, earning a degree in physical education. She taught and coached track, softball, and basketball from 1963-1970 at South Hamilton schools in Jewell, Iowa, prior to her marriage to Emmett. She also coached basketball in St. Ansgar, Iowa, from 1983-90. They currently reside in St. Ansgar, and have two sons, Chad and Toby .
Charles C. Espy, Sr. ’32, LL.D ’66
Charles C. Espy, Sr. '32, LL.D '66
Charles spent his entire life involved in track and cross country, starting his career at Iowa Wesleyan College in 1928. He was captain of the track and cross country teams and a six-time indoor and outdoor conference champion in the mile and two-mile events from 1930 to ’32. His 1932 two-mile time broke the conference record previously set by a 1928 Olympian. Espy ran the steeplechase event at the preliminary Olympic tryouts and advanced to the semifinals, but placed fourth in the event just missing the 1932 Olympics. His fourth-place time was only 10 seconds behind the Olympic record. His steeplechase time was recognized as an official IWC record in 1999. After graduation, Espy continued to compete in many track meets across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Italy, winning over 100 awards. He set his last world record in the indoor half-mile at the age of 85.
Espy served as a superintendent of schools in Rockford, Illinois, and was a professor of Speech at Prairie State College in Dunedin, Florida. He died in March of 2001. His wife, Ruby, resides in Florida and and Fairfield, Iowa. Their son, Charles Jr., serves on the IWC Board of Trustees.
Ray L. Patterson ’34
Ray L. Patterson '34
Ray was an athletic standout while at Iowa Wesleyan College, participating in football, basketball and track. Coming from Phillipsburg, Kansas, he served as captain of both the IWC football and basketball teams. He was basketball high scorer in the conference in 1933 and ’34. He excelled on the track as well, participating in running, jumping, and pole vaulting. After graduating from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1934 he became a teacher and coach in Loveland, Colorado. He served Loveland as mayor for one term. He and his wife,Lillian, are the parents of one son, Howard. In 1978, Loveland dedicated the high school football stadium in his honor. The stadium is used by three Loveland area high schools. Ray passed away in 1996.
Edd Bowers
Edd Bowers
Edd served Iowa Wesleyan College from 1956 to 1961 as an assistant professor in health and physical education. He was also the IWC head football coach from 1956 through 1960, turning the football program around from last in the conference in 1957 to first in 1958.
Prior to his career at IWC, he was head football coach for Mt. Pleasant High School and served there for nine years, going undefeated in 1950. Bowers, a Grinnell College graduate, returned to Grinnell in 1960 to coach football until he was named professor emeritus in 1987. Bowers is an avid golfer, having coached, played and officiated the sport throughout his life. In 2008 Bowers received the "Distinguished Iowan Award" from the Iowa Chapter of the National Football Coaches Association.
Olan G. Ruble, Hon ’74
Coach Ruble was a pioneer for women’s athletics locally, nationally and internationally. He began the women’s basketball program at Iowa Wesleyan in 1943, the first four-year college in Iowa to offer women’s basketball. He coached 21 women’s teams over his IWC career and was highly successful, retiring in 1965 with a career record of 626-127. He coached 13 AAU All-Americans, with many of his players competing internationally. Eight of his former players are in the Iowa High School Hall of Fame and one player, Rita Horky, is in the National Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, inducted in 2000. Ruble was an influence internationally as well, serving on the U.S. Women’s Basketball Olympic Committee for 25 years. He played a vital role in women’s basketball becoming an Olympic sport in 1976. Ruble also coached football and men’s basketball at IWC and was a professor of Physical Education. He was named an honorary IWC alumnus in 1974. Coach Ruble died in 1982. He and his wife Marguerite, are the parents of a daughter, Linda Ruble Taylor '71.
Dorothy Welp Donahue x55
Dorothy, originally from Kamrar, Iowa, came to IWC in 1951 after a successful high school career. She was a four-time All-State basketball player in high school, winning the state championship in 1948. She was named to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1961, its inaugural year. Donahue played basketball two seasons for Iowa Wesleyan, 1951-1953, placing fourth in the National AAU tournament during her sophomore year. She was named an AAU All-American in 1952. While a student at Iowa Wesleyan, Dorothy was a Zeta Tau Alpha and was crowned Homecoming Queen in 1952. Dorothy graduated from Drake University in 1961 and taught elementary school 34 years. In 1977, Dorothy was one of nine women named to the Iowa Girls’ State Championship Coaches Association All-Time All-Tournament team. She and husband Walter ’53, reside in Kamrar. They have a son, daughter, and three grandchildren.
Janet Thompson Milner Weston x55
Janet came from Elliott, Iowa, and earned her two-year elementary education diploma in 1954. She was an active basketball player in those two years. Janet was a member of the team that went to Nationals in 1952 and she was named an AAU All-American that same year. She was selected as a member of the U.S. team for the first World Tournament in 1953 in Santiago, Chile. The team toured Chile and Peru during their extended visit. After IWC, Janet returned to Elliott, where she taught school for four years and substituted for 12 years. She worked in the local bank as a bookkeeping supervisor until her retirement. She is married to William and they have three children, Vicki, Brent and Joel; and five grandchildren
Barbara Johnson Bastow '58
Barbara came from Aplington, Iowa, and played basketball for Iowa Wesleyan under Coach Olan Ruble from 1954 through 1958, graduating in 1958. During her basketball career, the Tigerettes experienced four consecutive winning seasons, and earning two trips to the AAU National Tournament. During her senior year, the team placed second at Nationals. Bastow was named an AAU All-American in 1956 and again in 1958. In 1974, she was inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Barbara’s college involvement included Iota Phi, Qui Est and the Pi Beta Phi sorority. She was a junior and senior high school teacher and volleyball coach in Gowrie, Iowa, from 1979-1994. Barbara resides in Temple, Texas. She and her husband, Dean ’58, have two daughters, Brenda and Belinda.
Barbara A. Sipes '58
Barbara is originally from Topeka, Kansas, and attended Washburn University in Topeka and Kansas City Junior College before transferring to Iowa Wesleyan. She played basketball for two years under Coach Ruble and was named an AAU All-American in 1955, ’57, ’58 and again in 1963. Barbara competed internationally, playing in 11 National Tournaments, two Pan American games and two World Tournaments. She also played on the U.S. teams that toured with the Soviet National Women’s Team in 1960, ’63 and ’66. Barbara returned to Iowa Wesleyan in 1962-63 and played basketball again under Coach Ruble. She taught school for 36 years, retiring in 1995. Barbara currently splits her residency between Iowa and Texas.
Sandra J. Fiete '59
Sandy came to Iowa Wesleyan from Garnavillo, Iowa, where she played on two state championship basketball teams. Fiete played basketball for Iowa Wesleyan College all four years of her college career. She was named an AAU All-American in 1957, ’58 and ’59. Sandy was chosen to play for the United States team touring Russia in 1958. She was also a member of the U.S. teams at the 1959 and 1963 Pan American games. Sandy was a member of the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority, Qui Est honorary society, and Iota Phi. She was named to the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1961, its inaugural year. She taught high school until her retirement in 1988. Sandy currently resides in Sedona, Arizona.
Rita Horky '60
Originally from Blissfield, Michigan, Rita came to Iowa Wesleyan College in 1958 and played basketball for Coach Ruble for two seasons. She was names an AAA All-American in 1959 and 1960. Rita was a member of the United States team at two Pan American games, winning gold medals in 1959 at Chicago, andn in 1963 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Rita also played on the 1959 World Championship team in Lima, Peru, and for the 1967 team in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Rita passed away in 1987. She was inducted to the National Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Glenda Nicholson Thielbert '61
Glenda came to Iowa Wesleyan from Maynard, Iowa. She was named AAU All-American in 1957, ’58 and ’59. Glenda was a member of the U.S. team at the 1959 Pan American games, going undefeated and winning the gold medal. She was a member of the U.S. team which played the Soviet National women’s team across the country in 1959. She graduated from Iowa Wesleyan in 1961 and earned an M.A. in Secondary Guidance and Counseling from the University of Northern Iowa in 1972. She was inducted in the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1972. Glenda taught, coached basketball, and served as a guidance counselor at West Delaware Schools in Manchester, Iowa, from 1963 until her retirement in 1996. She now resides in Muscatine, Iowa, with her husband, Eugene. They have two children, Lori and Mitchell.
Judith Hodson Finney '62
Judy played basketball for Iowa Wesleyan College under Coach Ruble, graduating in 1962. Originally from Donnellson, Iowa, Judy played high school varsity basketball for five years, qualifying for the state tournament in 1956, ’57 and ’58. In 1959 she toured the United States playing the Soviet National women’s team, and in 1961 she toured Russia with the U.S. team. While a student at Wesleyan, she was 1961 Homecoming Queen and a member of Zeta Tau Alpha. After graduation, Judy taught physical education at Central Lee High School and owned Finney Real Estate. Judy passed away in 1995. She and her husband, Don, have two sons, Mike and Steve.
Dixie Ramsbottom Scherff '63
Dixie came to Iowa Wesleyan as a standout basketball player from Diagonal, Iowa. She was a four-year player for Coach Olan Ruble. Dixie was named conference "rookie" of the year in 1959, and an AAU All-American in 1962. Dixie played for the Tigerettes in 1962 when they hosted the Soviet National Women's team in Mount Pleasant. She graduated in 1963 with a degree in physical education and taught P.E. for six years. She is also involved in insurance sales. In 2002, Dixie received an Award of Excellence from the Worth County Extension Board and 4-H program. She and her husband, Joseph, have a daughter, Angela. They currently reside in Manly, Iowa.
Lori Williams Wright '64, LL.D ’91
Lori came to Iowa Wesleyan from New Sharon, Iowa. During her high school basketball career she scored 3,753 points for North Mahaska High School. She continued that success by averaging 21 points per game at IWC. Lori led the Tigerettes to the AAU National Tournament all four years of her college career. The team placed fourth in 1961 and ’64, and third in ’62 and ’63. She was named an AAU All-American in 1961, ’62 and ’63. Lori was part of the IWC team that hosted the Soviet National Women’s team in Mt. Pleasant in 1962. She was also a member of the U.S. team at the 1963 Pan American games, winning the gold medal. In 1968, Lori was inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame. Lori was also active in Pi Beta Phi and the IWC Band while a student at IWC.
Lori holds a master's degree in organic chemistry, and an MBA from the University of Chicago. She is the co-founder and general manager of Triton Consumer Products, Inc. She and her husband, Larry, reside in Naperville, Illinois.
Dianne Frieden Havens '66
Dianne was an AAU All-American basketball player in 1962 and 1964 and was named honorable mention twice during her athletic career. She played in the U.S. World Championship game in Lima, Peru in 1964. While a student at Iowa Wesleyan, Diane was a member of Alpha Xi Delta, Panhellenic Council and was crowned Homecoming Queen in 1966. Dianne graduated from Iowa Wesleyan in 1966. She and her husband, Edward ’66, have a son, Merrick. Dianne passed away in 1988.
Peg Petersen Tyler '67
An Everly, Iowa native, Peg played basketball for four years at Iowa Wesleyan College. As a freshman in 1964, she was chosen to play for the U.S. Team in the World Championship Tournament in Lima, Peru. She was named an AAU All-American in 1964 as well. Peg was inducted into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame in 1969. She graduated from IWC in 1967, earning a degree in physical education. She taught and coached track, softball, and basketball from 1963-1970 at South Hamilton schools in Jewell, Iowa, prior to her marriage to Emmett. She also coached basketball in St. Ansgar, Iowa, from 1983-90. They currently reside in St. Ansgar, and have two sons, Chad and Toby .
Charles C. Espy, Sr. '32, LL.D '66
Charles spent his entire life involved in track and cross country, starting his career at Iowa Wesleyan College in 1928. He was captain of the track and cross country teams and a six-time indoor and outdoor conference champion in the mile and two-mile events from 1930 to ’32. His 1932 two-mile time broke the conference record previously set by a 1928 Olympian. Espy ran the steeplechase event at the preliminary Olympic tryouts and advanced to the semifinals, but placed fourth in the event just missing the 1932 Olympics. His fourth-place time was only 10 seconds behind the Olympic record. His steeplechase time was recognized as an official IWC record in 1999. After graduation, Espy continued to compete in many track meets across the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Italy, winning over 100 awards. He set his last world record in the indoor half-mile at the age of 85.
Espy served as a superintendent of schools in Rockford, Illinois, and was a professor of Speech at Prairie State College in Dunedin, Florida. He died in March of 2001. His wife, Ruby, resides in Florida and and Fairfield, Iowa. Their son, Charles Jr., serves on the IWC Board of Trustees.
Ray L. Patterson '34
Ray was an athletic standout while at Iowa Wesleyan College, participating in football, basketball and track. Coming from Phillipsburg, Kansas, he served as captain of both the IWC football and basketball teams. He was basketball high scorer in the conference in 1933 and ’34. He excelled on the track as well, participating in running, jumping, and pole vaulting. After graduating from Iowa Wesleyan College in 1934 he became a teacher and coach in Loveland, Colorado. He served Loveland as mayor for one term. He and his wife,Lillian, are the parents of one son, Howard. In 1978, Loveland dedicated the high school football stadium in his honor. The stadium is used by three Loveland area high schools. Ray passed away in 1996.
Edd Bowers
Edd served Iowa Wesleyan College from 1956 to 1961 as an assistant professor in health and physical education. He was also the IWC head football coach from 1956 through 1960, turning the football program around from last in the conference in 1957 to first in 1958.
Prior to his career at IWC, he was head football coach for Mt. Pleasant High School and served there for nine years, going undefeated in 1950. Bowers, a Grinnell College graduate, returned to Grinnell in 1960 to coach football until he was named professor emeritus in 1987. Bowers is an avid golfer, having coached, played and officiated the sport throughout his life. In 2008 Bowers received the "Distinguished Iowan Award" from the Iowa Chapter of the National Football Coaches Association.
